Posted by Rick Denney on October 12, 2003 at 22:09:54:
In Reply to: european orchestras??? posted by tim on October 12, 2003 at 20:29:45:
The standard instrument for most orchestral tuba players in Europe is an F tuba. For works that need a big instrument, they'll usually play a BBb, especially in Germany.
There are exceptions, of course, and what is probably a general trend towards American standard practice, at least according to Bevan. This may correspond to the incidence of Americans winning some European orchestra gigs.
In Great Britain, the Eb is the standard instrument, though many players use CC instruments for the big works. Fletcher used a large Holton CC, and I've seen a picture of Steven Wick with a Hirsbrunner. A much older photo showed George Wall playing a BBb Alex kaiser tuba. But all of them also played a compensating Eb instrument for much of the literature.
It appears to me that Japan generally follows American standard practice, while most countries of the former British Empire follow British standard practice.
Again, exceptions abound.
Rick "not sure American tubists already in orchestras are stuck with anything" Denney